Top 7 Best Dirt bike and Motorcycle Hitch Carrier (Reviews) In 2023

Whether it’s dirt bikes for you and the kids or your prized motorcycle, you need a dependable way to transport your rides. We’ve put together a list of the best hitch carriers for motorcycles and dirt bikes, along with answers to some of the pressing questions you might have about them. We’ll give you a variety of options for transporting your bike in safety and style.

Product Review Table

IMAGE PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Features: Solid Steel Rack, Rust Proof, Impermeable levels with rubber feet.
  • Benefits: 600 lb Load Capacity, Safety Front Wheel Lock, 79” Length to fit most motorcycles
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  • Features: Aluminum Rack Supports Dirtbikes and Some Light Motorcycles, Includes a self storing dual sided ramp for easy loading
  • Benefits: Anti rattle hitch bracket and spacers for stability.
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  • Features: Two Way Ramp for easy loading, Anti tilt system for safe transport.
  • Benefits: Holds up to 500 lbs, Made Entirely of Steel, Fits Nearly Every Existing 2 inch hitch receiver.
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  • Features: Ramp for loading, Easy assembly and installation.
  • Benefits: Has anti sway technology, solid steel construction, budget friendly, Fits class II and above 2 inch hitch receivers.
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  • Features: All Steel Construction With a 600 lb Weight Limit. Removable Ramp for Easy Loading Without Extra Space.
  • Benefits: Anti Tilt Technology, 6 inch Spacer Between Carrier and Bumper.
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  • Features: Solid Aluminum Carrier With 2 Separate Rails For Transporting 2 Dirt Bikes At Once.
  • Benefits: Integrated Two Pronged Ramp Allows For Easy Loading, Rails Are Separated For Safety.
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  • Features: Convenient Slide Out Ramp That Slides When The Rack is Tilted. Comes in 400 and 600 lb varieties.
  • Benefits: Lightweight and Sturdy With Convenient Wheel Lock to Seucure Bikes.
Check Latest Price

There’s a lot to consider when choosing a motorcycle carrier for your vehicle. How many bikes you need to transport, the weight limit, the hitch receiver you have, all of these things are important. We compiled a list of some of the best in different categories to give you a good idea of what to look for in motorcycle carriers the next time you’re ready to hit the road. Our top pick the GoPlus 600 lbs Motorcycle Carrier has top tier construction, safety, and weight capacity, making it an all around star if you’re in the market for hitch carriers. We’ve got reviews that will help you decide what to buy the next time you’re looking.


7 Best Motorcycle Hitch Carrier Reviews (for Dirtbikes Too) In 2023

1. GoPlus Motorcycle Carrier – Top Pick

The Goplus Motorcycle carrier is out top pick as the best motorcycle hitch carrier because of the sheer quality of this heavy duty steel piece of machinery as well as the number of quality features that it crams into one package. This carrier has nearly everything you could want in a piece of equipment to haul your beloved hog or your kid’s favorite dirt bike. It has a 600 pound carrying capacity, one of the highest for products that carry motorcycles and dirt bikes. For this reason alone, the goplus is a standout, add to that the material is powder coated steel which is impermeable, meaning it won’t rust. The steel frame carrier with ramp is easy to load and unload. It includes an adjustable wheel chock with quick release security feature to ensure the bike doesn’t move during transit but making it easy to release when you’re ready to ride.

The hitch mounted carrier mounts to most 2 inch hitch receivers. A heavier hitch mount carrier usually mounts to class iii and iv hitches and not class ii. It has a length of 79 inches making it suitable to haul motorcycles of this length or smaller. It will also fit dirt bikes, euro bikes and other miniature bikes. It comes in two packages making it easy to assemble.

Features:

600 pound weight limit, adjustable wheel chock, two way ramp, powder coat finish steel construction

Pros:

  • High grade material construction
  • Hitch mount fits a trailer hitch with a 2″ width
  • Great load capacity

Cons:

  • Bike can wobble if going over 55 mph (So just make sure not to go too fast and you’re fine!)


2. Black Widow AMC 400 – Top Dirt Bike Carrier

This particular model is a motorcycle hitch carrier aluminum rack. It is suitable for smaller motorcycles and dirt bikes. We chose this one as our top Dirt Bike Carrier because of the aluminum build. The carrier is lightweight and suited especially for smaller bikes. The amc 400 features a retractable ramp for loading and unloading from either side of the carrier. The hitch mounted carrier features a spacer to protect your vehicle and an anti rattle device to improve stability.

The carrier fits to class iii and iv hitch receivers and fits one motorcycle or dirt bike securely. This is a great hitch carrier with ramp attachment for easy on easy off use of a dirt bike. The black widow amc 400 is one of the best choice products for light bikes and scooters. This is favorite pick for transporting a small bike thanks to the light weight of the rack and the ease of use.

Features:

Solid Lightweight Aluminum Carrier, Either Side Ramp, Anti Rattle Device, 400 Pound Load Capacity

Pros:

  • Lightweight Sturdy Construction
  • 400 lb Carrying Capacity
  • Convenient Stow Away Loading Ramp
  • Anti Rattle Device

Cons:

  • Not Suitable For Heavy Bikes (But Perfect For Dirt Bikes and Light Motorcycles)


3. TMS Motorcycle Carrier – Best Heavy Duty Motorcycle Carrier

Another standout made of heavy duty steel. Our pick for the best motorcycle hitch carrier for heavy duty use is made to hold 5oo pounds and has loads of features. It can be used as either a motorcycle or dirt bike hitch carrier and is made from heavy duty steel with a powder coat finish making it rust proof. It is also one of the few hitch mounted carriers that fits a class ii trailer hitch as well as the standard class iii, iv, and v variations. This gives the carrier an added layer of versatility for those owners with non conventional vehicle types or uncommon trailer hitch classes.

The dual sided loading ramp allows for loading and unloading with ease. It also includes an anti tilt locking device for stability and tie down slots on either side of the carrier to hold your motorcycle steady. Ideal for dirt and motocross bikes, and other smaller off road bikes. The reviews prove that this is one of the best motorcycle hitch carriers for the money and is a welcome addition to any outdoorsman’s collection of gear.

Features:

Powder coated steel construction, dual sided loading ramp, anti tilt lock, works with most hitch types

Pros:

  • 500 pound carrying capacity
  • Easy to assemble
  • Powder coated steel is rust proof
  • Best Choice for dirt and motocross bikes

Cons:

  • Not suitable for heavy bikes (but one of the best options for light bikes!)


4. Direct AfterMarket – Best Value Carrier

Made by Direct AfterMarket, this steel carrier is similar in size and shape to some of the others on our list but at a value price. With a load capacity of 500 pounds, this carrier can easily carry most like motorcycles, scooters, and other bikes. The material is also powder coated like many other steel carriers and is easy to assemble. Great as a dirt bike hitch carrier for when you have to drive a while to get to your favorite spot.

Included is a loading ramp that is attached to the carrier. For ease of use the hitch carrier fits most 2 inch receivers. Holds the bike secure with an anti locking device. Owners should make sure to tie down the bike securely to prevent bike or vehicle damage. This option has all the same quality of the big ticket brands at a much more affordable price point, for those just starting out on their bike journey or just for those on a bit of a budget this is a great option.

Features:

Powder coated steel material, anti wobble feature, loading ramp, 2 inch hitch connector

Pros:

  • Steel Frame Construction
  • Anti Locking Device
  • 500 pound carrying capacity
  • Fits most standard 2 inch hitch sizes

Cons:

  • Anti Wobble Device Can Be Tricky To Install (Once you get the hang of it it’s a snap though!)


5. Black Widow Steel Hitch – Best Single Motorcycle Carrier

This one by Black Widow is one of the more full featured carriers on our list. A solid steel frame supports motorcycles weighing up to 600 pounds and with 8 inch wheels. This one also features a built in ramp that stores on the carrier when not in use. The loading ramp is extra long at 71 inches to make sure the bike gets loaded properly onto the carrier with minimal effort. The size of the wheel base adds a bit of extra comfort and stability for those with a bike that has wide tires. This ensures your motorcycle will have plenty of room to fit both length and width onto the carrier.

The hitch mounted carrier also includes a 5/8 inch hitch pin, adjustable wheel chock, and anti wobble device. The wheel chock holds on to even fat tires with ease. The Black Widow is also much more affordable than other carriers such as the similar Versahaul dirt bike hitch that costs almost twice as much, making the Black Widow a superior value hitch carrier. Like most motorcycle carriers, it installs to your vehicle with a class iii or iv hitch mount.

Features:

Holds one bike, up to 600 pounds with 8 inch wheels, includes anti sway technology, wheel chock and ramp

Pros:

  • Steel construction
  • Ramp that stows away when not in use
  • anti sway device

Cons:

  • Won’t fit a REALLY big motorcycle (but normal big bikes are fine though!)


6. Black Widow AMC 600-2 – Best Multibike Carrier

This light weight aluminum dirt bike hitch carrier is one of the best ways to carry multiple bikes at one time. Generally, hitch carriers only carry one bike, however with the dual trays, AMC 600 can carry one 300 pound dirt bike on each tray making transport a breeze. The hitch carrier is easy to install, fitting class iii and iv hitch receivers.

The hitch carrier features a loading ramp that stores on the hitch carrier when not in use. There are also tie down hooks on each side of the bike so that each bike is held securely in place during transport. Each bike is separated to prevent both bike to vehicle and bike to bike contact, saving all your rides from damage. All the reviews will tell you that the AMC 600 is easy to assemble and works great. If you’re looking for a way to transport more than one bike, make sure to check out this carrier.

Features:

Dual Tray Carrier, Lightweight Aluminum Body, Side Tie Down Straps On Each Side of the Bike

Pros:

  • Hitch carrier carries two bikes
  • Light weight aluminum construction
  • ramp stores onboard the hitch carrier

Cons:

  • Not suitable as a motorcycle hitch carrier (but for offroad bikes, euro bikes or a dirt bike, it’s great!)


7. Tilt-A-Rack – 410/610 ACR Aluminum Dirt Bike Carrier, Best Tilt Down Carrier

For our last entry we decided to include both variants of the Tilt A Rack, the 400 pound and 600 pound version. They both function identically based on specifications, with the higher weight limit version being able to hold a heavier bike. This hitch carrier is the unique one on our list thanks to the tilt down feature. The entire hitch carrier tilts to a downward angle which then allows the ramp to slide out. This makes the loading and unloading process incredibly simple.

Made of solid, high grade aluminum, this hitch carrier is extremely durable and able to carry most small to medium sized bikes with ease. The carrier includes a unique pinch bolt for the hitch to reduce wobble while travelling. The solid deck on the hitch carrier accommodates most any size bike and the built in wheel chock offers added security. The carrier fits a 2 inch hitch receiver that is class iii or class iv. These two are great options for quick and easy transport of your bike with minimal effort.

Features:

Unique tilt down feature, slide out ramp, wheel chock, pinch bolt for reduced wobble

Pros:

  • Incredibly Easy to Load
  • Wide Deck Supports Most Bike Sizes
  • Added Stability With Wheel Chock and Pinch Bolt

Cons:

  • Aluminum is not rust proof (But it is light weight and extremely sturdy!)


Frequently Asked Questions

Are Motorcycle Hitch Carriers Safe?

In a word, yes. motorcycle hitch carriers have a number of safety options including a front or rear wheel stop, an anti tilt locking device, straps, and spacers. A wheel stop locks the wheel of your bike in place so that it doesn’t roll while in transit. The anti tilt locking device usually works with your class iii or iv hitch receiver to prevent wobbling during movement. Many carriers also include straps that secure the bike to the rack and the vehicle for added safety. Additionally, a number of products have retractable tie down bars for added stability. The retractable tie down bars allow the bike to be strapped down and then the bars can be stowed away when not needed. Some products also feature an adaptor for most class iii or iv hitch receivers to separate the rack from the back end of the vehicle to prevent damage to the vehicle or the bike.

What Is The Best Motorcycle Hauler or Motorcycle Rack?

For our reviews we are focused on motorcycle hitch racks that attach to the hitch receiver of your vehicle. The best one is the one that best suits your needs for the plans you have for your bike. There are a few different varieties of hitch carrier to consider and type and bike quantity they can carry will differ depending on which one you choose. Some considerations to have when choosing a carrier are: What type of bike am I transporting? How much does it weigh? How stable is my bike on the carrier (most carriers include tie down bars or straps to keep your bike safe)? Knowing these things will help you pick the right hitch carrier for you.

We have hand picked several with a variety of purposes and features. This will give our readers a great buyers guide when picking out their motorbike carrier.

How Do You Secure A Motorcycle Hitch Rack or Dirt Bike Rack?

While there are some differences of course, most motorcycle hitch carriers attach to a class iii or iv hitch receiver via a locking bolt. Some will fit other higher or lower class hitch receivers but the standard is class iii or iv. This securely locks the rack to your vehicle. The hitch carrier has a variety of means to hold you bike. A hitch carrier may use a wheel lock, which clamps onto the wheel of your bike. Another hitch carrier may use ratchet fastened straps to literally strap your motorbike in. The best motorcycle hitch carriers will often use a combination of the two.

How Do You Use A Trailer Hitch Motorcycle Carrier?

You use this type of carrier by simply attaching it to your vehicle hitch receiver, usually a class iii or higher and loading your bike onto the carrier. Most carriers feature a loading ramp for wheeling your dirt bike or motorcycle onto the motorcycle carrier. Usually a loading ramp can be fixed to either side of the carrier for ease of use. On some motorcycle carriers the loading ramp will feature a slide out or removable function. Once loaded onto the carrier the bike is usually clamped into the carrier or strapped in. Once tied down your motorcycle or dirt bike is ready for travel.

What Are The Benefits Of A Hitch Mount Carrier?

Apart from being able to transport your dirt bike or motorcycle anywhere, there are a number of benefits to carriers over other options. Using a carrier over a hauler or pull behind trailer is a safer option, especially for those inexperienced with pulling a trailer or hauler behind their vehicle.

Another benefit of using a motorcycle hitch carrier is that they do not have to be registered with the DMV. In most cases, a hauler or trailer has to be registered in order to be pulled behind a vehicle.

Thirdly, a trailer hitch motorcycle carry is much more stable when trying to carry a bike. A hauler or traditional pull behind trailer can wobble or be blown sideways in high wind. Furthermore, there are no safety features such as an anti tilt lock or locking bracket to hold the hauler and bike in place. You will also have to find your own tie downs to hold the motorcycle or dirt bike on the trailer. Tie downs which are not built into the device can come unattached or slip causing your motorcycle to slide off or fall.

Lastly, A carrier with ramp attachments can be loaded from either side and is easy to use. A bike that is loaded onto a trailer has to be loaded by hand or you have to bring your own ramp inmost cases. For these reasons motorcycle hitch mount carriers are the best choice products for hauling your motorcycle or dirt bike. On the other hand, if you own a jeep wrangler and plans to bring your bike with you, you might want to learn more about bike racks for Jeep Wranglers which you can read on our recent post. Also, we have listed the top rated hitch cargo carriers to help you more about storing your road trip necessities.

What Types of Motorcycle Hitch Carrier Are There?

This is a good question to ask for those new to the world of hitch carriers for motorcycles and bikes. Broadly, there are two types of hitch carriers. Lighter aluminum ones are used to carry a dirt bike, eurobike, electric bike, scooter or other smaller vehicles. They generally have the same features as their bulkier cousins, just lighter and with a lower weight limit. Steel hitch carriers are usually reserved for hauling larger bikes, full size motorcycles, large scooters, etc. Motorcycle carriers made out of steel are a lot heavier themselves to support the extra weight.

Hitch carriers all mount to the back of your vehicle using a trailer hitch and most of them can carry one bike at a time with no problem. Some varieties allow for the carrying of two smaller bikes at once and this is a great option for those looking to travel to sporting events with more than one bike with them. Another convenience that most hitch carriers have is a retractable or removable ramp to load the bike onto the carrier without any hassle. This has become a standard feature on most carriers and when considering which one to buy should be a must have feature.

Safety features usually include tie down hooks or straps, some even have bars that retract and lock in place to hook the bike to make sure it doesn’t wobble while moving. Even further some models have a wheel chock that holds the wheel in place so that there’s no slipping or rolling of the bike. If you’re making yourself a checklist of what to look for, be sure to add these safety features to the table of contents. Also, our post about bike hitch racks might be helpful for you. Click here to learn more.

And now,


7 Best Motorcycle Hitch Carrier Reviews (for Dirtbikes Too) In 2023 – Final Thoughts

There you have it. Our guide to the best hitch carriers in 2023. For this list we tried to take into account all the things a buyer might want and need to know when purchasing a hitch carrier for their favorite bike. With all this information we hope you’ll make the right choice the next time you go out shopping. You can’t go wrong with our Top Pick the GoPlus 600 lbs Motorcycle Carrier. It offers all the best that any quality motorcycle carrier should and is an excellent quality piece of equipment.

IMAGE PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Features: Solid Steel Rack, Rust Proof, Impermeable levels with rubber feet.
  • Benefits: 600 lb Load Capacity, Safety Front Wheel Lock, 79” Length to fit most motorcycles
Check Latest Price

  • Features: Aluminum Rack Supports Dirtbikes and Some Light Motorcycles, Includes a self storing dual sided ramp for easy loading
  • Benefits: Anti rattle hitch bracket and spacers for stability.
Check Latest Price

  • Features: Two Way Ramp for easy loading, Anti tilt system for safe transport.
  • Benefits: Holds up to 500 lbs, Made Entirely of Steel, Fits Nearly Every Existing 2 inch hitch receiver.
Check Latest Price

  • Features: Ramp for loading, Easy assembly and installation.
  • Benefits: Has anti sway technology, solid steel construction, budget friendly, Fits class II and above 2 inch hitch receivers.
Check Latest Price

  • Features: All Steel Construction With a 600 lb Weight Limit. Removable Ramp for Easy Loading Without Extra Space.
  • Benefits: Anti Tilt Technology, 6 inch Spacer Between Carrier and Bumper.
Check Latest Price

  • Features: Solid Aluminum Carrier With 2 Separate Rails For Transporting 2 Dirt Bikes At Once.
  • Benefits: Integrated Two Pronged Ramp Allows For Easy Loading, Rails Are Separated For Safety.
Check Latest Price

  • Features: Convenient Slide Out Ramp That Slides When The Rack is Tilted. Comes in 400 and 600 lb varieties.
  • Benefits: Lightweight and Sturdy With Convenient Wheel Lock to Seucure Bikes.
Check Latest Price

You may also like: Drop Hitches for Lifted Trucks

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Austin Mills

Austin Mills in an outdoor enthusiast. He's been featured on some of the top outdoor & fitness blogs sharing his expertise in order to help others. In his free time, he likes spending time with his dogs enjoying the outdoors.